Cricket World Cup final: Aaron Finch hoping MCG blunts New Zealand’s swing menace

AARON Finch enters Sunday’s World Cup final as vulnerable to swing bowling as he’s ever been and is desperately hoping the MCG comes to his rescue.

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - FEBRUARY 28: Aaron Finch of Australia is bowled by Tim Southee of New Zealand during the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup match between Australia and New Zealand at Eden Park on February 28, 2015 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

AARON Finch enters Sunday’s World Cup final as vulnerable to swing bowling as he’s ever been and is desperately hoping the MCG comes to his rescue against New Zealand.

It was the Black Caps’ skilful attack which sparked Finch’s unforeseen unravelling earlier this tournament and Tim Southee and Trent Boult will believe they have the burly right-hander’s number again.

Not only is Finch taking confidence from returning to his home ground and the scene of his finest ever hundred six weeks ago against England, but the Melbourne coliseum is also a traditional enemy to swing bowling, and the 28-year-old is ready to pounce on Southee and Boult should they become cannon fodder.

Aaron Finch battled hard against India on Tuesday.

The cold hard truth is this World Cup has done nothing for Finch’s long-term Test aspirations, with his struggles against the moving ball consistently exposed.

But his campaign-opening 135 against England on Valentine’s Day and a gritty 81 against India in the semi-final have shown the hallmarks of a big match player.

Although devastating on his day, Finch may be the least complete batsman in the Australian top order, but he has an opportunity to become a champion if he can overcome his Achilles heel.

“I think we learned quite a bit about their team in the last game,” said Finch.

“The conditions are totally different though. Traditionally the ball doesn’t swing a hell of a lot at the MCG, or maybe for not as long as it does in New Zealand.

“They’re a quality attack. They’re a team that’s always taken wickets through the first 10 overs in the last seven or eight games they’ve played.

“It’s going to be a challenge for us but I think we’re up to it.

“It’s a place I love playing.

Aaron Finch is punished by Tim Southee in Auckland.

“I’ve had a fair bit of success there with both Australia and Victoria.”

After his heroics in Melbourne against England, Finch was on top of the world.

But facing the power of Southee and Boult in the Eden Park disaster against New Zealand two weeks later sent Finch on a downward spiral, which he’s yet to fully recover from.

It’s rare that a batsman scores 81 and still doesn’t play himself back into form, but that could be said about Finch’s unglamorous albeit important innings against India.

There was nothing pretty about it, but still plenty to like.

Finch was tough and after the loss of an early wicket dug in to build a match-shaping partnership with Steve Smith.

Aaron Finch is happy to be back at the MCG.

And he did so knowing the wolves were at the door.

“Absolutely, I was under the pump,” said Finch.

“I hadn’t scored any runs for a while … it was a bit of a struggle the whole through to be honest.

“It wasn’t my most fluid innings but it was nice to get through that.

“Hopefully I’m past that and there’s some more runs to come.”

There is plenty to like about Finch.

For a start he has scored more ODI hundreds than any other Australian since last summer and is a walk-up start to any 50-over team.

But looking deeper into his make-up as a potential Test star, if he can ever fix his technical flaws, Finch is a strong and resilient character.

“I think what’s important from the coach and the captain is you’ve got their confidence,” he says.

And there’s little doubt he has that.

Michael Clarke is predicting another big hundred from Finch in the final.